CHAPTER XIV.

PROCLAMATION FOR PAYMENT OF OFFICERS AND MEN—­LOG EXTRACTS IN PROOF
THEREOF—­THE SUM GIVEN UP TO THE SQUADRON DISBURSED—­DENIAL THEREOF BY
THE BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT—­THOUGH MADE TO SERVE AS ADVANCE OF WAGES—­THE
AMOUNT RECEIVED AT MARANHAM FULLY ACCOUNTED FOR—­BY THE RECEIPTS OF THE
OFFICERS—­OFFICERS’ RECEIPTS—­EXTRACTS FROM LOG IN FURTHER
CORROBORATION—­UP TO MY ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND—­ALL OUR PRIZES MONOPOLIZED
BY BRAZIL—­THE CONDUCT OF THE BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT UNJUSTIFIABLE.

The whole dispute raised by the Brazilian Administration
as a pretext for evading my claims, has been—­as
the reader is now aware—­about the sum of
200,000 dollars, given out of the proceeds of our
own captures, which cost nothing to the Government;
but were made to serve as a substitute for the usual
advance of wages! Also about 40,000 dollars ordered
by His Imperial Majesty as compensation for the Imperatrice
frigate, captured by Captain Grenfell at Para—­but
never paid, and therefore never accounted for.
Finally, with regard to 106,000 dollars reimbursed
by the authorities of Maranham, as a compromise for
four times the amount generously surrendered by the
squadron to the necessities of the province in 1823—­on
promise of repayment. As regards the whole of
the sums, it is alleged that I never furnished accounts
of their expenditure, and therefore they are charged
against me, as though not expended at all.

For the disbursement of the first item of 200,000
dollars, I have already stated sufficient to satisfy
any reasonable person. The accounts set forth
at page 169, shews that a balance remained in hand
from the 200,000 dollars put on board at Rio de Janeiro,
of 39,538 dollars. I shall now state what became
of this sum. And first let me adduce the following
proclamation:—­

By His Excellency the Marquis of
Maranhao, First Admiral, &c. &c.

WHEREAS, many officers and seamen
are here employed who were
not present, last year, at the capitulation
of the hostile authorities,
and seizure of Portuguese funds
and property at Maranhao;

And whereas it is condusive to the interests
of His Imperial Majesty, that all those officers
and seamen who have now contributed to the restoration
of tranquillity, good order, and obedience to His
Imperial Majesty, shall receive encouragement and
reward;

It is hereby directed that three
months additional pay shall,
without deduction, be distributed
as a gratuity to the said officers
and men.